I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth. I see him, but not nowThis phrase indicates a prophetic vision, a glimpse into the future. The Hebrew word for "see" is "ra'ah," which often implies not just physical sight but spiritual insight or revelation. Balaam, the speaker, is granted a vision of a future event, emphasizing the divine nature of prophecy. The phrase "but not now" suggests that the fulfillment of this vision is distant, reinforcing the idea that God's plans unfold in His perfect timing, beyond human understanding. I behold him, but not near
The word "behold" in Hebrew is "shur," which can mean to look intently or to observe with purpose. This suggests a deeper, more focused observation than mere seeing. The phrase "but not near" further emphasizes the temporal distance of the prophecy's fulfillment. It serves as a reminder of the patience required in faith, trusting that God's promises will come to pass even if they are not immediate. A star will come out of Jacob
The "star" is a symbol of a coming ruler or a significant figure. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, stars were often associated with deities or kings. The Hebrew word "kokab" for "star" can also imply brightness or a guiding light. This prophecy is traditionally understood to refer to the coming of the Messiah, a guiding light for the people. "Jacob" refers to the nation of Israel, descended from the patriarch Jacob, indicating that this ruler will arise from the Jewish people. and a scepter will rise out of Israel
The "scepter" is a symbol of authority and kingship. The Hebrew word "shebet" can mean both a rod and a tribe, suggesting both leadership and the unification of the tribes of Israel under a single ruler. This imagery points to a future king who will have dominion and authority, often interpreted as a messianic prophecy pointing to Jesus Christ, who is seen as the ultimate fulfillment of this promise. He will crush the foreheads of Moab
The phrase "crush the foreheads" uses the Hebrew word "machats," meaning to strike or shatter. This indicates a decisive victory or judgment. Moab, a neighboring nation often in conflict with Israel, represents opposition to God's people. This prophecy foretells the defeat of Israel's enemies, symbolizing the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom over all opposition. and strike down all the sons of Sheth
The "sons of Sheth" is a more obscure reference, with "Sheth" possibly referring to a group or a symbolic representation of chaos and disorder. The Hebrew word "qarqar" for "strike down" implies destruction or subjugation. This part of the prophecy suggests a comprehensive victory over all forces that stand against God's chosen ruler, reinforcing the theme of divine justice and the establishment of God's order. Persons / Places / Events 1. BalaamA non-Israelite prophet who was hired by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse Israel. Instead, he delivers a series of blessings and prophecies concerning Israel, including the prophecy in Numbers 24:17. 2. JacobThe patriarch of the Israelites, also known as Israel. The prophecy refers to a "star" coming out of Jacob, symbolizing a future leader or king from the lineage of Jacob. 3. MoabA nation located east of the Dead Sea, often in conflict with Israel. The prophecy foretells the defeat of Moab by the future ruler from Israel. 4. ShethLikely a reference to a group or people, possibly symbolizing enemies of Israel. The prophecy indicates their destruction by the coming ruler. 5. Star and ScepterSymbolic imagery used in the prophecy. The "star" represents a rising leader, while the "scepter" signifies authority and kingship. Teaching Points Messianic ProphecyNumbers 24:17 is a clear messianic prophecy pointing to Jesus Christ. The imagery of the star and scepter signifies His divine authority and kingship. God's SovereigntyDespite Balaam's original intent to curse Israel, God uses him to deliver a prophecy of blessing and future hope. This demonstrates God's control over all circumstances and His ability to fulfill His promises. Hope in FulfillmentThe prophecy provides hope and assurance that God's promises will be fulfilled in His timing. Believers can trust in God's plan and His ultimate victory over evil. Spiritual WarfareThe crushing of Moab and the sons of Sheth symbolizes the ultimate defeat of spiritual enemies. Believers are reminded of the victory they have in Christ over sin and darkness. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the prophecy in Numbers 24:17 enhance our understanding of Jesus' role as the Messiah? 2. In what ways does the imagery of the "star" and "scepter" in this verse connect to other messianic prophecies in the Old Testament? 3. How can we see God's sovereignty at work in the account of Balaam and Balak, and how does this encourage us in our own lives? 4. What practical steps can we take to live in the hope and assurance of God's promises, as illustrated in this prophecy? 5. How does the ultimate victory over Moab and the sons of Sheth encourage us in our spiritual battles today? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 49:10This verse speaks of the scepter not departing from Judah, connecting the prophecy in Numbers 24:17 to the messianic lineage through Judah. Matthew 2:2The wise men from the East refer to a star they saw, which they associate with the birth of the King of the Jews, connecting to the "star" prophecy in Numbers 24:17. Revelation 22:16Jesus refers to Himself as the "Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star," linking back to the imagery of the star in Numbers 24:17. People Agag, Amalek, Asher, Ashur, Balaam, Balak, Beor, Eber, Jacob, Kenites, Kittim, Moses, Seir, ShethPlaces Amalek, Asshur, Edom, Egypt, Kain, Kittim, Moab, Peor, SeirTopics Behold, Break, Corners, Crush, Foreheads, Forth, Jacob, Moab, Nigh, Rise, Scepter, Sheth, Skulls, Sons, Star, StrikeDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 24:17 2230 Messiah, coming of
4281 stars
4835 light, spiritual
4918 dawn
5154 forehead
5426 news
5513 sceptre Numbers 24:15-24 1421 oracles Library While Antony was Thus Speaking all Rejoiced; in Some the Love of virtue Increased...
44. While Antony was thus speaking all rejoiced; in some the love of virtue increased, in others carelessness was thrown aside, the self-conceit of others was stopped; and all were persuaded to despise the assaults of the Evil One, and marvelled at the grace given to Antony from the Lord for the discerning of spirits. So their cells were in the mountains, like filled with holy bands of men who sang psalms, loved reading, fasted, prayed, rejoiced in the hope of things to come, laboured in alms-giving, …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or AthanasiusThe Messianic Prophecies in the Pentateuch.
In the Messianic prophecies contained in Genesis we cannot fail to perceive a remarkable progress in clearness and definiteness. The first Messianic prediction, which was uttered immediately after the fall of Adam, is also the most indefinite. Opposed to the awful threatening there stands the consolatory promise, that the dominion of sin, and of the evil arising from sin, shall not last for ever, but that the seed of the woman shall, at some future time, overthrow their dreaded conqueror. With the …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Elucidations.
I. (Princes and kings, [154]p. 13.) How memorable the histories, moreover, of Nebuchadnezzar [1609] and his decrees; of Darius [1610] and his also; but especially of Cyrus and his great monumental edict! [1611] The beautiful narratives of the Queen of Sheba and of the Persian consort of Queen Esther (probably Xerxes) are also manifestations of the ways of Providence in giving light to the heathen world through that "nation of priests" in Israel. But Lactantius, who uses the Sibyls so freely, should …
Lactantius—The divine institutes The Jewish Dispersion in the West - the Hellenists - Origin of Hellenist Literature in the Greek Translation of the Bible - Character of the Septuagint.
When we turn from the Jewish dispersion' in the East to that in the West, we seem to breathe quite a different atmosphere. Despite their intense nationalism, all unconsciously to themselves, their mental characteristics and tendencies were in the opposite direction from those of their brethren. With those of the East rested the future of Judaism; with them of the West, in a sense, that of the world. The one represented old Israel, stretching forth its hands to where the dawn of a new day was about …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Thoughts Upon the Appearance of Christ the Sun of Righteousness, or the Beatifick vision.
SO long as we are in the Body, we are apt to be governed wholly by its senses, seldom or never minding any thing but what comes to us through one or other of them. Though we are all able to abstract our Thoughts when we please from matter, and fix them upon things that are purely spiritual; there are but few that ever do it. But few, even among those also that have such things revealed to them by God himself, and so have infinitely more and firmer ground to believe them, than any one, or all their …
William Beveridge—Private Thoughts Upon a Christian Life The Plan for the Coming of Jesus.
God's Darling, Psalms 8:5-8.--the plan for the new man--the Hebrew picture by itself--difference between God's plan and actual events--one purpose through breaking plans--the original plan--a starting point--getting inside. Fastening a Tether inside: the longest way around--the pedigree--the start. First Touches on the Canvas: the first touch, Genesis 3:15.--three groups of prediction--first group: to Abraham, Genesis 12:1-3; to Isaac, Genesis 26:1-5; to Jacob, Genesis 28:10-15; through Jacob, …
S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks about Jesus Eastern Wise-Men, or Magi, visit Jesus, the New-Born King.
(Jerusalem and Bethlehem, b.c. 4.) ^A Matt. II. 1-12. ^a 1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem [It lies five miles south by west of Jerusalem, a little to the east of the road to Hebron. It occupies part of the summit and sides of a narrow limestone ridge which shoots out eastward from the central chains of the Judæan mountains, and breaks down abruptly into deep valleys on the north, south, and east. Its old name, Ephrath, meant "the fruitful." Bethlehem means "house of bread." Its modern …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Birth and Early Life of John the Baptist.
(Hill Country of Judæa, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke I. 57-80. ^c 57 Now Elisabeth's time was fulfilled that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. 58 And her neighbors and her kinsfolk heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her [mercy in granting a child; great mercy in granting so illustrious a child] ; and they rejoiced with her. 59 And it came to pass on the eighth day [See Gen. xvii. 12; Lev. xii. 3; Phil. iii. 5. Male children were named at their circumcision, probably …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
ONLY those who have made study of it can have any idea how large, and sometimes bewildering, is the literature on the subject of Jewish Proselytes and their Baptism. Our present remarks will be confined to the Baptism of Proselytes. 1. Generally, as regards proselytes (Gerim) we have to distinguish between the Ger ha-Shaar (proselyte of the gate) and Ger Toshabh (sojourner,' settled among Israel), and again the Ger hatstsedeq (proselyte of righteousness) and Ger habberith (proselyte of the covenant). …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Jesus Makes his First Disciples.
(Bethany Beyond Jordan, Spring a.d. 27.) ^D John I. 35-51. ^d 35 Again on the morrow [John's direct testimony bore fruit on the second day] John was standing, and two of his disciples [An audience of two. A small field; but a large harvest]; 36 and he looked [Gazed intently. The word is used at Mark xiv. 67; Luke xxii. 61 Mark x. 21, 27. John looked searchingly at that face, which, so far as any record shows, he was never to see on earth again. The more intently we look upon Jesus, the more powerfully …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 24:17 NIVNumbers 24:17 NLTNumbers 24:17 ESVNumbers 24:17 NASBNumbers 24:17 KJV
Numbers 24:17 Commentaries
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